Latil KTL

File:Latil 4X4 (in front of a row of portaloos in Bedfordshire) mfd 1937 first reg in UK sep 1987 3686cc.JPG

The Latil KTL tractor was introduced in 1929.{{sfn|Dunne|Kennedy|van Zyl|2015|p=58}} In October of that year, it was presented in the United Kingdom{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1929|p=250}} and, by early 1931, it was being imported into the country.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=700}} By 1932, it started to be assembled locally{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1933|p=B23}} under licence by the British company Shelvoke and Drewry{{sfn|Blenkinsop|Blenkinsop|2022|p=44}} with some minor modifications.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1933|p=B23}}

From 1932 onwards, the KTL was tested by the French military as a replacement for the earlier Latil TL tractor for towing the 105 L 13 canon, as the previous tractor was considered too slow. In 1934, The  military finally commissioned the K TL4, a KTL with extended wheelbase, which was still slow for that usage. About 163 were built.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}}

In 1934, another KTL-based vehicle with extended wheelbase, the G TL3 prototype, was tested as a hauler for the 75 CA anti-aircraft gun, but it had a high centre of gravity and a narrow track relative to its wheelbase, which made it lack stability and off-roading capabilities. In 1937, the design was definitively abandoned. The French military adopted another Latil model, the Latil M2 TZ, and various trucks, among them the Berliet GDLS 30.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=116–117}}

The main engine used for the tractor is the K,{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}} an inline-four petrol engine with a 90 mm bore and a 130 mm stroke,{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} giving a displacement of 3,308 cc.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}}{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}} Its maximum power is {{convert|40|bhp|PS kW|abbr=on|lk=on}} at 1,900 rpm.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}} Its fiscal power is rated at 13 CV.{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} As an optional, the KTL could be equipped with not specified  diesel and gasifier-running engines.{{sfn|La pratique automobile et aeronautique|1934|p=10}}

The gearbox is a 3-speed manual unit with a transfer case{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1932|p=B33}} giving 6 forward speeds and 2 reverses.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}}{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}}{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1932|p=B33}} The differential system can lock the drive on any axle through a lever next to the driver's seat.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=700–701}} The tractor has a four-wheel steering system. The wheels could be mounted with retractable spuds for improving grip on some surfaces.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1932|p=B33}}

For commercial use, the KTL was offered in two versions: agriculture/forestry tractor{{sfn|Latila|1934}} and road tractor,{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} which mainly differ on bodywork and hauling equipment.{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} They can haul between 5 and 10 tonnes, depending on version. Both have the same dimensions: a (main) length of {{convert|3.73|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}} a height (without roof) of {{convert|1.941|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}, a width of {{convert|1.79|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}, a track of {{convert|1.493|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}.{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} The wheels have the same size both on front and rear:{{sfn|Dunne|Kennedy|van Zyl|2015|p=58}}  {{convert|36|in|cm|abbr=on|lk=on}} x {{convert|6|in|cm|abbr=on|lk=off}}.{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}}{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}}

The tractor's wheelbase is {{convert|2.3|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}.{{sfn|Latila|1934}}{{sfn|Latilb|1934}} Its weight (without equipment) is over 2 tonnes.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}} It has drum brakes. Suspension is by long straight leaf springs.{{sfn|The Commercial Motor|1931|p=702}} {{sfn|La pratique automobile et aeronautique|1934|p=12}}

The K TL4 is a version of the KTL with a wheelbase extended to {{convert|2.7|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}. For military use, it was offered in two versions: a tractor for cannon on pivot and an ammunition-carrying tractor with extended bodywork. Both have a length of {{convert|4.7|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}, a height of {{convert|2.5|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}} (with roof) and a track of {{convert|1.5|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}. They differ in width: the cannon on pivot version is {{convert|2.1|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}} and the ammunition-carrying is {{convert|2.22|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}. The K engine in military configuration delivered {{convert|36|PS|bhp kW|abbr=on|lk=off}}. The payload is {{convert|950|kg|lb|abbr=on|lk=off}}. The tractor's top speed is 35 km/h.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=208}}

The G TL3 had a wheelbase of {{convert|4.3|m|ft|abbr=on|lk=off}}.{{sfn|Vauvillier|Touraine|Jeudy|1992|p=117}}

The Latil JTL is a similar contemporary tractor with the J engine,  an inline-four petrol unit with a 85 mm bore and a 130 mm stroke. Its fiscal power is rated at 11 CV.{{sfn|Delanghe|1931|p=651}}

The tractor can haul the same as the KTL (5 to 10 tonnes). It was offered with the same variants.{{sfn|Delanghe|1931|p=651}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{cite magazine |year=2022 |last1=Blenkinsop |first1=Mike |last2=Blenkinsop |first2=Julie |title=The Latil (Part Two) |journal=Heritage Commercials |issue=5/2022 |location=Yalding |publisher=Kelsey |issn=1476-2110}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1931 |title=Le XXV Salon de l'Automobile véhicules industriels |trans-title=The XXV automotive Salon, commercial vehicles |language=French |volume=99 |issue=26 |last=Delanghe |first=G. |magazine=Le Génie civil |location=Paris |issn=0016-6812 |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k6493611f/f13.item.r=%22Berliet%22Salon%201931}}
• {{cite book |editor1-last=Dunne |editor1-first=Jemima |editor2-last=Kennedy |editor2-first=Sam |editor3-last=van Zyl |editor3-first=Miezan |title=The Tractor Book |year=2015 |publisher=Dorling Kindersley |location=London |isbn=978-0-2410-1482-0}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1934 |title=Le tracteur Latil agricole et routier |trans-title=Latil's agricultural and road-going tractor |language=French |volume=38 |issue=649 |magazine=La pratique automobile et aeronautique |ref={{harvid|La pratique automobile et aeronautique|1934}} |location=Paris |issn=1267-3765 |url=https://gallica.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/bpt6k5322993n/f10.item.r=Latil%20tracteur.zoom}}
• {{citation |year=1934 |ref={{harvid|Latila|1934}} |title=Le tracteur léger type 'KTL' à quatre roues motrices et directrices |trans-title=The KTL light tractor with four-wheel drive and steering |language=French |publisher=Latil |location=Suresnes}}
• {{citation |year=1934 |ref={{harvid|Latilb|1934}} |title=Le tracteur routier type 'KTL' à quatre roues motrices et directrices |trans-title=The KTL road-going light tractor with four-wheel drive and steering |language=French |publisher=Latil |location=Suresnes}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1929 |title=New additions to the range of Latil chassis |volume=50 |issue=1282 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1929}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1931 |title=Three days' work with a Latil tractor |volume=53 |issue=1373 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1931}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1932 |title=Wonderful forestry work |volume=55 |issue=1409 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1932}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite magazine |year=1933 |title=The Latil tractor made in England |volume=57 |issue=1458 |magazine=The Commercial Motor |ref={{harvid|The Commercial Motor|1933}} |location=London |publisher=Temple Press |issn=0010-3063}}
• {{cite book |last1=Vauvillier |first1=François |last2=Touraine |first2=Jean-Michel |last3=Jeudy |first3=Jean-Gabriel |title=L'Automobile Sous l'Uniforme 1939–1940 |trans-title=The Car in Uniform 1939–1940 |language=French |year=1992 |publisher=Editions Ch. Massin |location=Paris |isbn=2-7072-0197-9}}

Category:Vehicles introduced in 1929

Category:Tractors

Category:Vehicles of France